Elections for Sierra Club Prairie Group's Executive Committee

Four seats are open, and five candidates are running for the excom this time. There will be at least one newcomer -- George Hardebeck and Eva Jehle have been nominated along with incumbents Don Davis, Stuart Levy, and Rachel Vellenga. All terms are for 2 years.

Any current member of the Sierra Club in this area (Prairie Group of the Illinois Chapter) may vote. You'll be asked for your name so that we can confirm your membership.

If you'd prefer a secret ballot, then please write a letter, listing the names of the candidates you prefer (up to four of the five). Be sure your name appears on the outside of the envelope so we can check that you are a current member. Mail it, postmarked by Saturday, Dec 20th, to:

Stand Up To Coal
Dec. 17th - IDNR Public Hearing for Bulldog Mine

The public hearing regarding Sunrise Coal's Bulldog Mine Permit - the next step in the permit review process with IDNR - will be held on Dec. 17th. This hearing will be attended by representatives from IDNR and Sunrise Coal.

IDNR staff and a court reporter will be present, so this is the best time to make comments or ask questions for the public record.

Please plan to attend this important hearing. You may share your comments at the meeting, but you may also just attend to demonstrate your concern about this proposed mine. Comments will likely be limited to keep the hearing time to approximately 2 hours. Speakers will be recorded for the official record to be attached to the permit application.

Both proponents and opponents of the mine had a strong showing at the informal conference in October, so we would like to have even more attendees this time.

Here is a flyer that you can share with friends or post for others to see.

If you have any questions about the permit application process or the upcoming informal concerence, feel free to contact either me or Tyler Rotche at Prairie Rivers Network: trotche@prairierivers.org, 217.344.2371x206.

Thank you for your help in this effort. Over the last five years, the Bulldog Mine has done more to divide the community than improve it. It is time to directly tell the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that our communities deserve better.

Jonathan Ashbrook
Stand Up To Coal

Sierra Club endorses Ann Callis
Ann Callis, the Democratic candidate for the 13th Illinois District of the US
Congress has been endorsed by the Sierra Club due to the recommendation of three
Central Illinois groups.

Sierra Club endorses Carol Ammons
Carol Ammons, the Democratic candidate for the 103rd Illinois District
has been endorsed by the Sierra club due to the recommendation of the
Prairie Group.
The Prairie Group is co-sponsoring a public listening session for Carol
on September 16th at the Urbana Civic Center. A notice on our alerts listserv and
our Facebook page will give the time and other details.

Hike at Forest Glen Nature Preserve
Sunday, October 19 - Come and see the fall colors

We will do a 5-mile loop hike at Forest Glen Nature Preserve, southeast of Danville along the Vermilion River. To carpool, meet in the parking lot of the Urbana Schnuck's at noon; we will be on the west side of the parking lot, close to Vine Street. Or else meet us at 1pm in the parking lot for the observation tower at the preserve. Bring water and sturdy shoes, there will be hills and maybe mud. Hike is expected to take two hours.

Directions to Forest Glen:
Take I-74 east toward Danville
Take exit 215A (Route 1) to Westville (5 miles)
At Westville, turn left (east) at Main Street
Follow asphalt road (Co. Hwy. 5) for 7 miles
Park entrance on the left

Starwatching

Saturday, October 25 - Starwatching at Homer Lake

We will join the Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society for a public starwatching session at Homer Lake Forest Preserve. Stargazing will take place at the North Boat Ramp from 7-9pm. At 8pm, inside the preserve's Interpretive Center, there will be a talk about the night sky by Dave Leake of Staerkel Planetarium. If the weather is cloudy, this event will likely be cancelled; if unsure, call 351-2567 and there will be a message describing the status of the event.

Know of a local event other Sierra Club members might be interested in? Let
Rachel Vellenga know at rlvellenga (at) yahoo.com.

Current conservation concerns of the Prairie Group

1. Protecting the Mahomet Aquifer from being contaminated by the Clinton Landfill and supporting its designation as a sole source aquifer

2. Reducing the use and negative environmental impacts of coal by supporting campus divestment and opposing the Bulldog Coal Mine

3. Supporting native plantings by urban developers and planners

4. Supporting City of Champaign efforts to reduce the wasteful consumption of disposable bags

What else is on this Web site?:

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp This Home page: announcements of coming meetings and other events

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Meetings :
descriptions of previous meetings of the Prairie Group -- back several years

Sierra Club Radio
WEFT, 90.1 FM, Tuesdays 5:30-6:00pm

Sierra Club Radio is now on local community radio station WEFT, 90.1 FM in
Champaign, every Tuesday afternoon from 5:30 to 6:00pm. Sierra Club Radio
is a nationally produced half-hour radio show about the environment with a
focus on what each of us can do to make our world better. Each week host
Orli Cotel has in-depth interviews with politicians, authors, celebrities,
artists, businesspeople, and activists inspired by nature. There is advice
from "Mr. Green", lifestyle tips, and occasional commentary from former Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope.

So listen each week on your radio to WEFT, 90.1 FM on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm as
Sierra Club turns the airwaves green.